Solder dross removal apparatus and method

Abstract

A solder dross removal apparatus includes a holder adapted to be pivotably mounted to a container within which a pool of molten solder is kept at preset temperature. Dross is introduced into the container. A dross cutter assembly includes shafts rotatably supported by the holder and flat elongated cutter elements mounted on the shafts. The cutter elements are disposed perpendicular to the surface of the molten solder and partly submerged in the molten solder when the container is closed by the holder. The cutter elements are angularly offset from each other so that each end of the cutter elements lies on a spiral path. The cutter elements are rotated to repeatedly cut the dross into smaller pieces and force the dross as cut into the molten solder. This process removes oxides from the dross, and any free, reclaimed solder is returned to the molten solder.

1. A solder dross removal apparatus comprising:
 a holder adapted to selectively open and close a container within which a pool of molten solder is kept at a preset temperature, said container being adapted to receive dross from an external soldering machine;  
 drive means mounted to said holder; and  
 a dross cutter assembly including at least one substantially horizontal shaft carried by said holder and rotated by said drive means, and a plurality of substantially flat cutter elements mounted on said at least one shaft, said plurality of cutter elements being disposed substantially perpendicular to a surface of the molten solder and partly submerged in the molten solder when the container is closed by said holder, said plurality of cutter elements being operable to cut the dross into smaller pieces and cause the dross as cut to be submerged in the molten solder, whereby oxides are removed from the dross, and reclaimed solder is returned to the molten solder.  
 
     
     
       2. A solder dross removal apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of cutter elements have a rectangular shape, said plurality of cutter elements being angularly offset from each other so that each end of said plurality of cutter elements lies on a spiral path. 
     
     
       3. A solder dross removal apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of cutter elements are mounted so that at least one fourth of said plurality of cutter elements is submerged in the molten solder when the container is covered by said holder. 
     
     
       4. A solder dross removal apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of shafts rotatably supported by said holder and arranged at equal intervals, said plurality of cutter elements being mounted on each of said plurality of shafts so that each of said cutter elements on one of said plurality of shafts is located between the corresponding cutter elements on adjacent shafts. 
     
     
       5. A solder dross removal apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one shaft has opposite ends supported by opposite sides of said holder, respectively. 
     
     
       6. A solder dross removal apparatus comprising:
 a holder adapted to selectively open and close a container within which a pool of molten solder is kept at a preset temperature, said container being adapted to receive dross from an external soldering machine;  
 a reversible motor mounted to said holder; and  
 a dross cutter assembly including a plurality of shafts carried by said holder and rotated by said reversible motor, and a plurality of substantially flat cutter elements mounted on each of said plurality of shafts, said plurality of cutter elements being disposed substantially perpendicular to a surface of the molten solder and partly submerged in the molten solder when the container is closed by said holder, said plurality of cutter elements being operable to cut the dross into smaller pieces and cause the dross as cut to be submerged in the molten solder, whereby oxides are removed from the dross and reclaimed solder is returned to the molten solder,  
 wherein said plurality of shafts are all rotated in the same direction.  
 
     
     
       7. A solder dross removal apparatus comprising:
 a container adapted to hold a pool of molten solder at a preset temperature and receive dross from an external soldering machine;  
 a cover assembly pivotably mounted to said container so as to selectively open and close said container;  
 a motor mounted to said cover assembly; and  
 a dross cutter assembly including a plurality of substantially horizontal shafts mounted to said cover assembly and rotated by said motor, and a plurality of elongated cutter elements mounted on said plurality of shafts,  
 said plurality of cutter elements being disposed substantially perpendicular to a surface of the molten solder and partly submerged in the molten solder when the container is closed by said cover assembly, said plurality of cutter elements being rotated to thereby cut the dross into smaller pieces and cause the dross as cut to be submerged in the molten solder, whereby oxides are removed from the dross, and reclaimed solder is returned to the molten solder.  
 
     
     
       8. A solder dross removal apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said plurality of cutter elements are angularly offset from each other so that each end of said plurality of cutter elements lies on a spiral path.